73Hours
Belle International · China
73Hours is a Chinese light-luxury women's footwear brand founded in 2015 by Zhao Ruohong. It designs shoes for white-collar women and has been majority owned by Belle International since 2018.
| Founded | 2015 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Zhao Ruohong |
| Parent | Belle International (controlling shareholder since 2018) |
| Target customer | White-collar women aged 25 to 35 |
What is 73Hours?
73Hours is a women's shoe brand from China positioned in the light-luxury segment. Its name refers to the making of a shoe, which the founder has described as taking about 73.3 hours across 103 main steps.
History
The brand was founded in 2015 by Zhao Ruohong, a former Shanghai television host and actor with a large social media following. It raised venture funding from Xiangfeng Investment, Taiwanese shoemaker Ruishi Enterprise and GGV Capital. In August 2018 Belle International agreed to become its controlling shareholder, with 73Hours continuing to operate independently.
Products and positioning
73Hours targets white-collar women aged 25 to 35, mainly in large and coastal Chinese cities. Its designs are adapted to Asian foot shapes and stress comfort, an approach the founder has called practical fashion. The range includes a separate bridal shoe line.
Distribution
The brand combines online and offline sales. It sells on Tmall, Taobao, Xiaohongshu and a WeChat mini-program, and runs stores and counters in shopping malls and department stores in cities including Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Kunming.
Why it matters
73Hours is an example of a founder-led Chinese footwear label built on social media reach that was later absorbed into one of the country's largest shoe groups.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded 73Hours?
73Hours was founded in 2015 by Zhao Ruohong, a former Shanghai television host.
Who owns 73Hours?
Belle International agreed to become the controlling shareholder of 73Hours in 2018.